XIII International Gathering END – Programme

At the Inalpi Arena in Turin – Italy

The Opening Ceremony of our Gathering will begin at 4pm.

As has happened in previous meetings, we will get to know a little about the host city and the wonders it has to offer. There will be a parade of the flags of all the countries, which will remain on display for the duration of the Gathering.
We cannot miss the welcome greeting from Clarita and Edgardo Bernal, International Leaders of the movement, and also the greeting from the institutional authorities of the city of Turin
We will also be shown highlights of the days to follow, and a welcome display.
At the end, there will be a time of reflection with a reading from the Word. This will be preceded by a greeting from Pope Francis to the whole movement, through the participation of the ERI in a private audience, and a blessing by the Archbishop of Turin Mgr. Roberto Repole.

FRAGILITY –“What are you discussing as you walk along?”

On Tuesday Lebanon RR will lead us in our moment of common prayer. This will be followed by Marina Marcolini‘s meditation.
After the video clip on the Team Meeting, there will be a brief introduction by Thérèse and Antoine Leclerc, liaison couple of the Central Europe – Middle East Zone. The guests will then take their seats at the conference table.
The first presentation of our gathering will be by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, with the theme: “Eucharist, Source and Summit of Christian Life”. The richness of his knowledge will help us deepen the Eucharistic theme in our lives as Christians.
Kathy and Peter Leszczyński from Poland, and Esther and Matthias Chiwaya from Malawi, will testify about the fragility of their life experience, and how important it is to be sustained by the Eucharistic mystery and by their faith.
The morning will end with the Eucharist, organised by SR Francophone Africa.
During lunch time, it will be possible for some of us to visit the EXPO.
As soon as they have finished lunch, some of the participants will be led on an excursion outside the Inalpi Arena, in the footsteps of Saint John Bosco to discover Turin. This is a place with strong experiences of faith and service for the poorest in the community.
For those who remain, there will be a performance that will fully illustrate the experience of the saints and social prophets who have been so important to our host city.
The day will end with a Mixed Teams experience.

ILLUMINATION –“…he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.”

On Wednesday, SR Oceania will lead us in our moment of common prayer. This will be followed by Marina Marcolini‘s meditation.
After the video clip about the Team Meeting, there will be a brief introduction by Faye and Kevin Noonan, liaison couple of the TransOceanic Zone. The guests will take their seats at the conference table.
The second presentation of our gathering will be delivered by Professor Maria Clara Lucchetti, with the theme ‘Listening to the Word to illuminate the path’. Drawing on her profound expertise, she will focus on the richness of the Word of the Gospel, and how it can illuminate our journey of faith.
Two couples will testify through their experience, how much the Word of the Gospel has been able to work in their lives: Viktoriya and Dmytro Demediuk from Ukraine and Jean-Pierre and Flavienne Mba-Alloumba from Gabon.
The morning will end with the Eucharist, organised by SR United States.
During lunch time, it will be possible for some of us to visit the EXPO.
As occurred on Tuesday, there will be two different pathways in the afternoon, one path will be to visit places in Turin in the footsteps of St John Bosco, another will be to stay at the Inalpi Arena to watch a performance about the city’s saints and social prophets.
The day will end with sharing in Mixed Teams.

OFFER –“Stay with us”

Thursday will offer us a particularly rich and intensive day.
SR Brazil will lead us in our moment of common prayer. This will be followed by a meditation by Marina Marcolini.
After the video clip about the Team Meeting, there will be a brief introduction by Mariola and Elizeu Calsing, the couple responsible for the Satellite Teams, and liaison couple for the Brazil-Hispanic America South Sub-Zone. The guests will take their seats at the conference table.
The third scheduled presentation will be delivered by Masu and José Manuel Dominguez, entitled “The profound meaning of the mutual gift of self in marriage”. They will be able to give us a particularly rich reflection on the meaning of the mutual gift in our marriage in the light of Christ.
Jussara and Daniel Chacon from Brazil, and Esther and Juan Emilio Fernández from Paraguay, will give witness to their life experience, as an offering and a gift in daily trials.
The morning will continue with a presentation by members of the board of directors of the Association of Friends of Father Caffarel. This association was set up to pursue the request for Father Caffarel’s canonisation, but it has also helped to promote and enrich knowledge of his writings and work.
Following this, Sister Elisabeth Saleon-Terras will guide us step by step in a time of deep and silent prayer, according to Father Caffarel’s method.
During lunch time, it will be possible for some of us to visit the EXPO.
The Eucharist prepared by SR Portugal will start the afternoon.
After the Eucharist, we will have a much anticipated and precious moment for us to experience: the Sit-down
. For this occasion, we will move to the Stadium, which is an adjacent building. It will provide an atmosphere for sharing and silence to ensure we can have good dialogue as a couple.
The day will end with sharing in the Mixed Teams after dinner.

COMMUNION –“With that their eyes were opened and they recognised him.”

On Friday, SR Hispanic America South will lead us in our moment of common prayer. This will be followed by a meditation by Marina Marcolini.
After the video clip about the Team Meeting, there will be a brief introduction by Mercedes Gómez-Ferrer and Alberto Pérez, the couple responsible for communication, and liaison with the Colombia-Hispanic America North Sub-Zone. Guests will take their seats at the conference table.
The fourth presentation will be delivered by undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops Sister Nathalie Bécquart, entitled ‘Synodality, a path of communion’. Through her expertise, she will help us to gain a deeper understanding of the theme of the Synod which is affecting the whole Church.
This will be followed by the testimonies of the Colombian couple, Pilar and Felipe Caballero, and Father Francisco de Assis Motta de Sousa from Brazil, who will talk about how the experience of Communion has been essential in their lives.
The morning will end with the Eucharist, organised by SR Spain.
During lunch time, it will be possible for some of us to visit the EXPO.
In the afternoon, the day will continue with a viewing of the play “DUE, IN CAMMINO, IL MONDO CAMBIA OGGI” (Two, on the way, the world changes today), in the footsteps of the disciples of Emmaus. The author and director, Michele Albano, is an Italian member of Teams, who has significant and profound theatrical experience on the themes of faith and the Gospel. The show contains acting and also a lot of music and even dance. It was conceived and written especially for our meeting. herefore, it is a unique and unprecedented performance, particularly given the scale of our gathering.
But the day doesn’t stop there!
There will also be a period of celebration for all of us.
A fun time has been prepared, offering moments of singing, music and dancing. It will be a shared time together, for a cheerful and carefree evening in a festive atmosphere.
We will also dine at the Inalpi Arena to fully experience the conviviality of the evening.